Thursday, September 09, 2004

The Lowcountry Open Land Trust demonstrated the kind of leadership that is needed to preserve the threatened Ashley River Historic District with its decision to purchase a 68-acre tract off Bacon's Bridge Road in Dorchester County. The acquisition will ensure that the valuable property won't ever be developed.

The Land Trust has helped preserve thousands of acres along the Ashley River, including marsh and forest land, primarily through conservation easements. In this instance, its board voted unanimously to purchase the property to preclude any possibility of its development.

"There was a lot of public concern that it could end up with developers," Land Trust Executive Director Will Haynie tells us. The board's decision recognizes the environmental and historic value of the property along the Ashley.

Its importance also was acknowledged by an estimated 150 citizens who appeared before Dorchester County Council on Tuesday to urge that it be bought by the county and used as park land. Its pending purchase by the Land Trust does not preclude that possibility.

"We look forward to working with Dorchester County," Mr. Haynie says.

Council was reconsidering the purchase of the property on Tuesday at the request of residents who objected to its previous pass on an offer from its owner, Charleston Southern University. The purchase agreement between the Land Trust and CSU temporarily puts park plans on hold.

But the support of residents for the park proposal and an offer from Charleston Commissioners of Public Works for the use of an adjacent tract as park land should encourage council's continued interest. CPW has offered Dorchester County the use of 25 acres adjacent to the 68-acre site for $1 a year.

And the public support for this Ashley River site should encourage council's attention to other preservation efforts along the Ashley River Road. The sale and pending development of 6,500 acres southeast of the Bacon's Bridge site has generated broad opposition. County Council can expect to have a key role in the ongoing attempt to restrict the suburban development of the Watson Hill tract, adjacent Middleton Plantation and near other nationally important properties along South Carolina's most historic highway.